Propaganda and Art of the Cold War
In this 4 week course, learners will explore the art and propaganda used during the Cold War.
Lisa Malick
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(40)
What's included
4 live meetings
3 hrs 40 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
In this four-week course, learners will explore the the concepts of propaganda and art as it relates specifically to the dichotomous Cold War period. Using trends and examples from the US and the Soviet Union, learners will explore how visual cues could persuade a group of people into different political mindsets. After exploring this concept, they will once again revisit a timeless idea- what is art? Is propaganda art if it is meant to alter the minds of millions? They will present their final thoughts in a written or visual project presentation in the final week of class. Learners will participate in a discussion based class with primary and secondary sources as springboards for discussion. This will allow students optimum opportunities to interact with each other and the content. Week 1: What Was the Cold War? What is propaganda? How does history shape art, or does art shape history? Week 2: Art and Propaganda in the Soviet Union Week 3: Art and Propaganda in the US- the CIA and the Abstract Expressionist Movement Week 4: Is Propaganda Art? Presentation of final projects.
Learning Goals
Week 1: What Was the Cold War? What is propaganda? How does history shape art, or does art shape history?
Cold War (basic time line, definition, motives, countries involved, background), propaganda (definition, examples)
Week 2: Art and Propaganda in the Soviet Union
Nonconformist Art, Official Art, Lianozovo Group, Kropivnitskaya, Nemukhin, Masterkova, Bulldozer Exhibition, Perestroika, Glasnost, Union of Artists of Russian Federation, Soviet Realism
Week 3: Art and Propaganda in the US- the CIA and the Abstract Expressionist Movement
Children's Crusade Against Communism, Duck and Cover videos, the CIA and Abstract Expressionist Movement, freedom and art
Week 4: Is Propaganda Art? Is Art Propaganda? Presentation of final projects.
Review of various pieces of art and propaganda created in the Soviet Union and United States by the artists listed above. Learners will explain if art is propaganda, or if propaganda is art and their opinion on this important aspect in history.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
This course contains some politically sensitive material. We will be analyzing primary sources of art and propaganda from the Cold War period. I will carefully select images for the 12-14 year old age group, but the propaganda images especially deal with anti-Soviet or anti-American themes. I have taught middle school and early (9th/10th grade) history and social sciences, including analyzing art and propaganda around the world. In the past, I have included propaganda that was originally aimed at children of the specific time (for example, the "Duck and Cover" advertisements). This tames the images while allowing students to "see" themselves in history.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined June, 2020
4.9
40reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
I have a degree in history with a concentration in Modern European History, and as a 6-12 grade public school teacher for over a decade, I have taught several art history and world history to students in grades 6-12. The material in this 4-week course is based on research that I conducted on art and propaganda used in WWII Germany, conducted in 2006 under a special research grant through University of California, Davis. There is a similar application made to the same question that appears in the Cold War- is government controlled art truly art? To make the content appropriate for younger learners, and to develop it for a specific course, I allowed the learners four weeks to enjoy the content which is usually taught in a day or two to high school students. I also created more interactive, hands-on experiences to allow younger learners to fully explore propaganda and art of the Cold War. Reviews
Live Group Class
$40
for 4 classes1x per week, 4 weeks
55 min
Completed by 5 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-14
3-6 learners per class
